Massachusetts Scholarships

The Ocean State Media Scholarship offers up to $15,000 annually to Rhode Island residents and Bristol County, Massachusetts residents in Ocean State Media's market who demonstrate promise in journalism or media careers. High school seniors entering accredited four-year colleges and enrolled undergraduates may apply through the Rhode Island Foundation universal application with essays, transcript, resume, recommendation, and a work sample. Awards renew up to three additional years. The application opens each January with an April 13 deadline.

Massachusetts residents with at least one year of state residency pursuing a designated high-demand major at an eligible Massachusetts public or independent institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA may apply via the MASSAid Student Portal. Awards of up to $10,000 per year are available for full-time study in fields such as STEM, health professions, education, social work, criminal justice, economics, or business. Amounts vary by institution type and enrollment level. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or Title IV-eligible non-citizens who have filed the FAFSA and not previously earned a bachelor's degree. The program encourages degree completion in disciplines that address Commonwealth workforce needs.

U.S. citizens pursuing campus-based study in the 2027-2028 academic year may apply to one or more stand-alone UNICO Foundation scholarships if they meet each fund's criteria. Most require Italian descent; several funds are open to all ethnicities. Award sizes vary by named fund, from about $1,000 to $10,000, covering high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate entrants, nursing, medical school, study abroad in Italy, and field-specific awards. Online applications are due March 15, 2027 for the 2027-2028 academic year. Applicants generally must reside in or hold chapter sponsorship from listed states (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, or Wisconsin), with limited exceptions. UNICO National is an Italian-American service organization whose foundation promotes education, culture, and charitable projects nationwide.

Undergraduate students with at least one year of college completed, or graduate students, at accredited U.S. institutions whose daily lives are guided by spiritual values may apply. Preference goes to candidates residing in or attending schools in Connecticut, DC, Delaware, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $7,000 and may be renewed for subsequent years. Apply with three autobiographical essays, three letters of recommendation, an official transcript, and an in-person interview. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need. Albert and Toni Roothbert established the Fund to support students whose actions reflect strong moral and spiritual values.

Massachusetts high school seniors who are U.S. citizens, demonstrate environmental leadership, and plan interdisciplinary environmental studies with at least 25% of college coursework focused on environmental subjects may apply to become Henry David Thoreau Scholars. Up to 10 scholars receive awards of up to $6,250 per year for four years, plus eligibility for an environmental internship stipend. Scholars also join the HDT Network for mentorship and professional opportunities. Submit the scholarship application with required essays and documentation by the posted deadline. The Henry David Thoreau Foundation supports young leaders committed to environmental welfare.

Massachusetts foster children under age 25 placed through the Department of Children and Families who enroll full-time at an eligible U.S. college may receive a Foster Child Grant of up to $6,000 per year for up to five consecutive years. Recipients must have signed a voluntary agreement with DCF for care and services beyond age 18. Grants may be used at any college or university in the continental United States. File the FAFSA or Massachusetts State Application for Financial Aid and contact the DHE Office of Student Financial Assistance or your DCF social worker to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents in compliance with Selective Service and not in default on student loans.

Massachusetts artists, culture bearers, and creative practitioners 18 or older in any discipline may apply for unrestricted $5,000 grants. Applicants must be full-year Massachusetts residents and cannot be full-time undergraduate or graduate arts students. Prior recipients of large Mass Cultural Council individual grants in 2023-2025 are ineligible. Grants have no restrictions on use. The agency expects to award 400-450 grants from a competitive pool reviewed by Massachusetts cultural sector volunteers, with geographic distribution by county. FY26 applications opened September 16, 2025 and closed October 28, 2025. Awards are announced in March 2026. The next cycle is expected in fall 2026. Mass Cultural Council runs Grants for Creative Individuals to advance creative expression across Massachusetts communities.

The Chicopee, Holyoke, and Springfield Grant provides five thousand dollars to incoming first-year students currently enrolled at a public high school in Chicopee, Holyoke, or Springfield, Massachusetts. Students are automatically considered when they submit their Elms College application and must be enrolled at their respective high school at the time of application. This award supports local public school graduates transitioning to Elms College's traditional full-time undergraduate program. It may combine with other institutional aid within cost-of-attendance limits.

Second-, third-, or fourth-year MD or DO students at accredited medical schools who were legal residents of Central Massachusetts when applying to medical school may apply. You must be in good academic standing, not on leave, in a gap year, or in a fellowship or separate degree program when the award is dispersed. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $4,000 based on scholastic achievement, financial need, and community service. The number of recipients varies. Submit the online application, CV, personal essay, two recommendation letters, and medical school transcript between June 1 and September 1. The Worcester District Medical Society has awarded scholarships to medical students since its founding in 1794.

U.S. citizens or permanent residents of Polish descent who are women entering the first, second, or third year of an M.D. program at an accredited U.S. medical school may apply. First preference goes to Massachusetts residents, then to New England applicants if no Massachusetts candidates qualify. The award is a non-renewable $3,500 scholarship. There is a $40 application fee.